Dave Tarpey hopes to bring some Maradona magic back to Beveree after re-signing for Hampton & Richmond Borough.

The former Basingstoke striker ended an initial three year stay with the Beavers in the summer of 2012 when he left for Farnborough Town.

And it was at Farnborough where he changed his name by deed poll last August to Diego Maradona as part of a link up with Paddy Power which saw every Town squad member ditch their old name for that of a famous footballer.

Two other former Hampton players took on new identities as part of the marketing ploy, with Josh Huggins becoming Lothar Matthaus and Alan Inns becoming Alan Hansen.

Tarpey said: “Some of the lads weren't keen at first, but we saw what the benefits would be for the club. The idea was we would all change our names back at the end of the season, but the league didn't like the idea, so it only lasted a few weeks and we didn't actually play a game under our new names.

“Paddy Power gave us a list if names they wanted to use, and we got a choice of three of four who played in our position. I chose Maradona because, like me, he was small, quick and tricky. I hope I can bring some of those qualities back to Hampton.”

Tarpey is looking forward to linking up with another player who returned for a second spell at Beveree after leaving for Conference South football, Charlie Moone, who had a short stay with Borehamwood last season.

He said: “Things weren't working out for me at Farnborough, so I asked for my contract to be cancelled, and once I spoke to Charlie and he told me how much things were changing for the better here, there was only one place I wanted to be.

“Charlie said things are more organised now, and the club is starting to get back to what it was before. It's been a tough few years for them, but it's a great club which should be playing in the Conference South, and my aim is to get them back there.

“I never really got a chance to form a partnership with Charlie before as I was played out wide quite a lot, but I see myself as a striker, and hopefully that's where the gaffer will play me. The lads went on a great run over Christmas and are desperate to play again and keep it going.”

Tarpey's return should ease the loss of losing Dan Thompson to Hayes & Yeading, but it is not the only piece of business joint-manager Paul Barry has done over the festive season.

He has also brought in young midfielders Freddy Champion and Jake Hicks from QPR and Woking respectively, and striker Ben Harris, who hit 28 goals in 48 games for Windsor.